When decorating with Christmas lights, you may be tempted to connect multiple strands of lights to one outlet. While it may look nice, overloading circuit breakers can result in an electrical fire. Instead, you should invest in a surge-protected power strip. You can use a power strip to connect multiple strands of lights to one outlet. It’s also safer than using conventional outlets, so you’ll be avoiding the possibility of overloading your circuits.
Distribute the power draw between outlets
While stringing lights end-to-end may seem like the most efficient way to use your electrical outlets, you may not be aware of the dangers of overloading a circuit with Christmas lights. If you plan to plug your lights end-to-end, distribute their power draw across outlets to avoid overloading any one outlet. This method will also keep your circuit from becoming overloaded.
While holiday lights and other decorations can be safely plugged into surge protectors, it’s important to spread the power draw between outlets. If you plug them all into one outlet, they can overload the circuit and trip the breaker. You can easily avoid this by spreading your power draw across outlets. If the light bulbs are very bright, you can use more than one outlet to power them.
Use surge protected power strips
Overloading electrical outlets is one of the most common causes of holiday fires. Thankfully, circuit breakers are designed to protect against this danger. When a circuit overloads, surge protectors will stop power influx until the circuit has enough power to handle the load. Overloading a circuit can result in voltage spikes, which can damage appliances. Surge protectors can also help keep the voltage of your Christmas lights safe by preventing overloading circuits.
Another important tip for safety is to use a surge protector or power strip. While extension cords are handy, they can be dangerous when misplaced. They can also cause accidental sparking. You should always place your extension cords out of the way when hanging outside lights. Otherwise, they could be tangled and dangerous. Ensure the extension cords are properly stored after use. The same goes for the outlets.
Calculate the wattage of each light
Before you install your Christmas lights, you must determine how much power is available and what you plan to use. You can find the wattage of each light on its product page or on the package itself. Once you have the wattage, divide it by the voltage of the area where you plan to use the lights. Once you have this figure, you can calculate the maximum wattage for the lights.
Usually, a 15-amp circuit can safely accommodate two hundred and forty watts of Christmas lights. For a 20-amp circuit, the maximum wattage is two thousand. For each strand, multiply the total wattage by the number of strands. The wattage per strand will tell you how many lights can be safely strung together on a single outlet. If you are using LED lights, they need only 10 watts each.
Avoid overloading circuits
Before you start plugging in Christmas lights, check the electrical load in your home. Most residential circuits can handle about 15 to 20 amps of electricity. To plug 90 strands of LED lights into one circuit, you would have to run about 80 amps of wire into that circuit. To avoid overloading circuits, use GFCI outlets. These outlets are designed to ground plugged-in items and prevent electrical faults. Make sure to test all holiday decorations before plugging them in.
Another way to avoid overloading circuits with Christmas lights is to use surge-protected power strips. Surge protectors protect your electrical appliances from voltage spikes caused by an overloading circuit. Overloading a circuit can cause a fire. By using surge-protected power strips, you can connect multiple strands of lights to a single circuit without overheating it. Also, when using multiple circuits, you should always use surge-protected outlets instead of traditional outlets.
Prevent fires
Before plugging in Christmas lights, make sure your electrical system is up to par. A circuit that’s too loaded with lights and appliances can lead to a power outage. An overloading circuit causes an electrical spike, which can cause a fire hazard. To avoid this, choose LED lights instead of traditional bulbs. LED lights use 7 percent less electricity, resulting in a lower holiday electric bill.
Another important tip is to unplug holiday decorations when not in use. This not only prevents fires but also saves money on your electricity bill. In addition, you’ll have fewer electrical fires when you remove the holiday lights from their sockets. If unplugging isn’t feasible, consider using a timer plug or a wi-fi connected plug. In addition to keeping Christmas trees away from heat sources, you’ll want to check your Christmas lights for flammable material. Alternatively, you may opt to purchase an artificial tree instead. And remember, you should check your Christmas lights for fire hazards before you plug them in.
